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Robinhood has unveiled a groundbreaking expansion into tokenized US stocks and ETFs across Europe, leveraging Arbitrum’s Layer 2 blockchain to enable 24/5 trading and dividend support.
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The company is simultaneously developing its own Layer 2 blockchain to facilitate tokenized assets, continuous trading, and enhanced self-custody solutions.
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US users gain new staking options for Ethereum and Solana, alongside advanced trading features such as smart routing, tax lot selection, and mobile-optimized charts, marking a significant upgrade to Robinhood’s platform.
Robinhood expands tokenized US stocks and ETFs to Europe with Arbitrum, launches crypto staking in the US, and develops its own Layer 2 blockchain for seamless trading.
Robinhood Introduces Tokenized US Stocks and ETFs to European Markets
In a strategic move to broaden its investment offerings, Robinhood is launching over 200 tokenized US stocks and ETFs for customers in 31 European Union and European Economic Area countries. These assets will be accessible with zero commissions and no additional spreads, complemented by dividend support and 24/5 trading availability. By utilizing Arbitrum, a prominent Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution, Robinhood ensures efficient and cost-effective transactions, enhancing user experience and accessibility.
This initiative transforms Robinhood’s European crypto app into a comprehensive investment platform, bridging traditional financial instruments and blockchain technology. The company’s announcement also included plans to develop its own Layer 2 blockchain, built on Arbitrum’s framework, designed to optimize real-world asset tokenization, enable 24/7 trading, and support seamless self-custody features. While the launch timeline remains undisclosed, this development signals Robinhood’s commitment to pioneering blockchain infrastructure tailored for mainstream finance.
Strategic Implications of Robinhood’s Layer 2 Blockchain Development
Robinhood’s decision to create a proprietary Layer 2 blockchain reflects a broader industry trend toward enhancing scalability and user control within decentralized finance. By focusing on real-world asset tokenization, the platform aims to facilitate continuous trading hours beyond traditional market constraints, offering investors unprecedented flexibility. The integration of self-custody options further empowers users by providing greater control over their digital assets, aligning with evolving regulatory standards and security expectations.
Launch of Crypto Perpetual Futures in the European Union
Expanding its derivatives offerings, Robinhood is introducing crypto perpetual futures for eligible European customers. These contracts provide up to 3x leverage, allowing traders to maintain continuous market exposure without expiration dates. The platform’s interface is designed for intuitive management of positions and margins, simplifying the complexities typically associated with leveraged trading.
Orders for these futures will be routed through Bitstamp’s perpetual futures exchange, ensuring liquidity and execution quality. The rollout is underway and anticipated to reach full availability by the end of summer 2025, marking Robinhood’s inaugural venture into leveraged crypto derivatives targeted at active retail traders seeking enhanced market participation.
US Market Enhancements: Ethereum and Solana Staking Plus Advanced Trading Tools
Robinhood has expanded its US offerings by enabling users to stake Ethereum and Solana directly within the app, providing a streamlined avenue for earning staking rewards and participating in blockchain network validation. This feature positions Robinhood competitively against native wallets and dedicated staking providers by offering a regulated, centralized platform with attractive reward rates.
Additionally, Robinhood is upgrading its trading infrastructure with several professional-grade features:
- Smart Exchange Routing: Orders will be dynamically routed across multiple partner exchanges to secure optimal pricing, complemented by volume-based fee tiering and forthcoming API support.
- Tax Lot Selection: US users can now specify tax lots during crypto trades, enhancing capital gains management and tax efficiency.
- Advanced Mobile Charts: Desktop-level charting tools are being introduced to mobile devices for equities, with crypto charting support planned for August 2025.
These enhancements aim to elevate the retail trading experience by integrating sophisticated tools within Robinhood’s native environment, catering to both novice and experienced investors.
Looking Ahead: Robinhood’s Vision for a Unified Investment Ecosystem
Robinhood’s multi-faceted expansion underscores its ambition to evolve beyond a traditional crypto exchange into a holistic investment platform. By combining tokenized assets, derivative products, staking capabilities, and advanced trading tools, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of digital finance innovation. The forthcoming launch of its proprietary Layer 2 blockchain will further solidify this vision, potentially setting new standards for asset tokenization, trading accessibility, and user empowerment.
Conclusion
Robinhood’s recent announcements mark a pivotal shift in its business strategy, emphasizing integration of tokenized securities, enhanced derivatives, and staking services across global markets. The move to build a dedicated Layer 2 blockchain highlights a commitment to scalability and user autonomy, while new features for US traders demonstrate a focus on execution quality and tax efficiency. As Robinhood continues to roll out these initiatives, investors can anticipate a more versatile and accessible platform tailored to the evolving demands of digital asset markets.
